Armenian Youth Federation

And that’s a wrap! Thank you to everyone who made AYF-WUS Educational Seminar 2024 a weekend to remember.

We gathered and discussed the importance of devoting ourselves to the Armenian Cause, and our interpretations of the Key to Nationhood.

AYF West around the world 🌎

This summer, like every other, our AYF-WUS members spend their time volunteering away from home, like places including Armenia, Javakhk, Washington DC, and AYF Camps in California!

No matter where we go, we go with one goal on our minds.

Our Youth Corps participants spent the last 2 weeks in Gyumri, running one of their most unforgettable camps. We are so proud to have our camps at the Shirvanian Youth Center in Gyumri, built with the vision of our Ashod Yergat chapter.

Azerbaijan is using COP29 Climate Conference to cover up their ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh through greenwashing. Don’t let them fool you though, almost all their energy is still generated with fossil fuels and oil. ⛽️⛽️⛽️

On this day in 1897, Armenian Fedayis fought against Kurdish forces and defended Van in what is known as the Khanasor Expedition. This expedition was in response to the Hamidian Massacres and the murder of several prominent military figures in Van. 

This was one of the first major efforts led by the ARF. We remember the Khanasor Expedition as the one that laid the foundations for our future efforts.

On July 21, 1905, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation attempted to assassinate Sultan Abdul Hamid II as revenge and accountability for the Hamidian Massacres.

On July 21, 1922, Djemal Pasha, one of the three main architects of the Armenian Genocide and Ottoman Empire military leader, was assassinated by ARF members Stepan Dzaghigian, Artashes Gevorgyan, and Petros Der Poghosyan as part of Operation Nemesis. His assassination was in name of justice and reparations for our martyrs and survivors.

Կամ մահ, կամ ազատութիւն։

The first week of AYF Youth Corps has begun in Vardenis. Stay tuned for more updates on our campers and counselors!

Happy to support our sister organization at the annual Navasartian Festival with our members!

As the streets and mountains of our Artsakh stand rid of the Armenian people, our innocent victims recount the horrors of blockade, invasion, and genocide — they recount the nightmares of brutality and injustice that have resulted in their separation from the lands that have served as home for thousands of years.

Our struggle is not over, it is just beginning anew. We will return.

The AYF-WUS had a great time celebrating Vartavar with our community alongside Hayk for Our Heroes, participating in a centuries-long Armenian tradition!

Proud to have been apart of this celebration in our home away from home.

On July 5, 1995, Armenia’s post-Soviet constitution was approved and adopted by a nationwide referendum. Today, rather than celebrating and honoring the occasion, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan calls for its amending and rewriting.

We reject Pashinyan’s treasonous statements. We reject an Armenian constitution rid of Artsakh.

In celebration of one of Armenia’s favorite holidays, join the AYF at the Hayk for Our Heroes 3rd annual Vartavar Water Festival, this Sunday!

The Central Executive of the Armenian Youth Federation visited the Western Prelacy to extend our congratulations to H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, on his election as Prelate of the Western Prelacy.

The Central Executive is committed to strengthening relations between Armenian youth and the Western Prelacy, especially during this time of change in the Hayrenik with the Srpazan Baykar movement. We look forward to working with H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian in common cause for the betterment of our community and Homeland.

Banana Pudding for a Cause🍌💛

The AYF-WUS is excited to launch a fundraiser for Artsakh youth! We are selling delicious Banana Pudding with 100% of proceeds donated to fund field trips for AYF members from Artsakh!

Check out our flyer for details and click the link below to place your order!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHUEWMJrTk0hJosRaYVdLaJKHGLnI-oVZhNJYIChyj8_KqXg/viewform

NEW LEGISLATION CONDEMNING AZERBAIJAN’S ETHNIC CLEANSING IN ARTSAKH INTRODUCED TO U.S. HOUSE

U.S. Representatives Anna Eshoo and Chris Smith introduce a bipartisan Resolution in the U.S. House to formally condemn Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh.

This MAJOR legislation pushes for:
1) Accountability for Azerbaijani War Crimes
2) Ban on Military Aid to Azerbaijan
3) Secure Protected Return to Artsakh
4) Release of all Illegally-Captured Artsakh Leaders and Civilians
5) Impose Sanctions on Azerbaijani Government Officials Complicit in Human Rights Abuses
6) Provide Humanitarian Assistance to Respond to the Refugee Crisis in Armenia

Visit ANCA.ORG/ARTSAKH NOW to support this legislation and influence your representative to support Artsakh’s rights in office.

Enemy attacks, disasters and atrocities have destroyed many khachkars over the years, but for the current Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, to neglect something so deeply rooted in Armenia’s history and culture is a threat to the roots we have planted. A prime minister who neglects our cross stones is a prime minister who neglects the land on which we exist and all the altars on which we live eternally.

All sources via Dr. Roberta Ervine and Monument Watch.

The AYF-WUS Youth Corps program has been changing the lives of families since 1994. We would like to thank each and every attendee and supporter of the AYF Barahantes, this year in celebration of the 30th anniversary of our Youth Corps program. Your presence and contributions made for an unforgettable evening, and allow for the continued strengthening of our Homeland with 10k raised in donations.

This past weekend, members of the AYF-WUS united with our Ungerner from AYF Eastern Region and AYF Canada for the 2024 AYF Tri-Regional Seminar at Camp Haiastan! 🇦🇲

The weekend was packed with exciting activities that provided members across the three regions the opportunity to foster connections with one another.
By doing so, members were able to strategize effective ways to further advance the Armenian Cause and work together to amplify our goal of a free, united, and independent Greater Armenia.

The AYF-WUS would like to extend a special thank you to the AYF-YOARF for hosting this year’s wonderful Tri-Regional Seminar. We look forward to further working alongside our Ungerner across North America.

He couldn’t stifle us with empty peace promises, so he’s resorted to hiding the behind grenades and batons of his loyal red berets

Some spreads of the AYF-WUS’s newest Haytoug Magazine issue — focused around liberation.

The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States Central Executive dedicates this edition of Haytoug Magazine to our beloved Artsakh, her people, and her Liberation - which we recommit ourselves to.

Armenia’s journey towards liberation is deeply rooted in a rich tapestry of history, marked by both triumphs and tribulations. From the enduring legacy of the Armenian Genocide and establishment of the First Republic, to the more recent struggles for self-determination and recognition during the Artsakh Genocide, the Armenian people have faced formidable challenges with unwavering resolve.
Liberation is not merely a word that could be defined, or a question that could be answered -
• it embodies the
collective struggle and resilience of the Armenian people, with spirits determined to break the chains of Geno-
it is the breaking of dawn after an oppressive night, with light that welcomes a new day. It is the song of a bird once bound and caged, but now free to soar through the open skies of their home. Liberation is when the winds echo the laughs and symphonies of the people of Artsakh through our mountains.

In commemorating the past, navigating the present, and envisioning a future shaped by the principles of liber-ation, let us strive to be catalysts for positive change - let us work towards achieving a Greater Armenia once more.

With the departure of our 2024 Youth Corps group approaching, and our Youth Corps 30th Anniversary Barahantes approaching, we reminisce on past Youth Corps summer camps.

Illustrations by Youth Corps campers from Akhuryan and Stepanakert